The document provides information about various world biomes, including their locations, abiotic factors, plant and animal adaptations, and threats. It discusses tropical rainforests, temperate deciduous forests, taiga, savannas, steppe, prairies, chaparral, deserts, tundra, and freshwater ecosystems. For each biome, it summarizes key characteristics such as precipitation levels, soil composition, dominant plant species, and how living things have adapted to the environmental conditions. Threats to each biome like deforestation, pollution, and climate change are also outlined.

1. W orld B iom es
F ollow along with your note packet to
add/m odify any notes you took as you
read the chapter.

2. http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/
Tropical
Rainforest
Location: Found near
equator…little variation
in temperatures. No
distinct seasonal
changes.
Earth's most complex land
biome

3. Tropical
Rainforest
Abiotic factors
 high biodiversity and
biomass
 both hot and moist;
 ideal for bacteria and other
microorganisms; they
quickly decompose matter
on the forest floor allowing
nutrients to be recycled.
 <1 cm of topsoil
 About 100 in/yr of rainfall
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysfl

4. Bougainvillea
 Sunlight is a major limiting factor
 Plants grow in layers (canopy
receives most light)
 Shallow, wide roots since soil is so
thin and poor in nutrients
 Little sun reaches the floor
Tropical Rainforest
Plant adaptations
Bangul Bamboo

5.  Many symbiotic
relationships
 Live in different
levels of canopy
Wagler’s pit viper
Silvery Gibbon
Slender Loris
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rnfrst_animal_page.htm
Tropical
Rainforest
Animal
Adaptations
Many animals are
specialists and require
special habitat
components to survive
Camouflage is common

6. Threats to the Tropical
Rainforest
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rnfrst_animal_page.htm
 Humans strip the rainforests
for uses including logging and
cattle ranching.
 In addition to the plants and
animals that are displaced by
this destruction, entire
civilizations of people are also
without a home.
 You can help by promoting
sustainable use of the
rainforests’ products

7. Temperate Deciduous Forests
Location:
 found in temperate zone
(about 480
North lat)
 Much of the human population lives in this biome
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tbdf/tbdf.html

8.  Characterized by an
abundance of deciduous
(leaf bearing) trees
Characterized by 4 seasons
 Soils: Deep soil layers,
rich in nutrients
 Precipitation: 30–100 in/yr
in all forms (snow, rain,
hail, fog, etc.)
Temperate Deciduous Forests
Abiotic Factors
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.html

9. More diversity in the deciduous forest vs.
the coniferous forest due to increased
sunlight.
Trees adapt to varied climate by
becoming dormant in winter
White Birch
Birchhttp://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_plant_
page.htm
Lady Fern
Geulder Rose
Temperate Deciduous forest
Plant adaptations
Deciduous forests grow in layers
More sunlight reaches the ground
compared to a rainforest so you
will find more ground dwelling
plants.

10.  Lose Winter
Coat
 Adapt to many
seasons
 Eat from
different layers
of the forest
Bald Eagle
Fat Dormouse
Least Weasel
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_animal_page.htm
Temperate Deciduous
Forest
Animal Adaptations

11. Threats to Temperate Deciduous
Forests
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tbdf/tbdf.html
Many forests are
cleared to
provide housing
for humans.
Careful use of the
resource can
provide a
renewable
system if we
don’t take too
much habitat
away.

12. Taiga
aka Northern Coniferous
Forest or Boreal Forest
Location: Found
only in Northern
Hemisphere

13. Taiga
Abiotic factors
 Winters are long
and cold
 Averages 100 in/yr
precipitation—
mostly snow
 Soil poor in
nutrients and very
acidic
 Growing season is
very short
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/modules/
ecosystems_biomes/biomes_northern_forest.html

14. Balsam Fir
 Coniferous (needle-bearing) trees
are abundant
 Roots long to anchor trees
 Needles long, thin and waxy
 Low sunlight and poor soil keeps
plants from growing on forest floor
http://www.inchinapinch.com/hab_pgs/terres/coniferous/plants.htm
Fireweed
Taiga Plant adaptations

15. Moose
 Adapt for cold winters
 Burrow, hibernate, warm
coat, insulation, etc.
http://www.inchinapinch.com/hab_pgs/terres/coniferous/animals.htm Great Grey Owl
Animal
Adaptations of
the Taiga

16. Threats to the Taiga
Mining operations can
irreparably damage
this fragile
ecosystem.
Pollution left behind
can also put animals
and plants at risk.
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/taiga.h

17. Savannas (Tropical
Grasslands)
Contain the greatest number of grazing animals on Earth.
Location: Found in the tropics…near equator
Amount of precipitation supports tall grasses but only occasional
trees.
The word savanna stems from an Amerind term for plains
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/savanna/savanna.html

18. Tropical Savanna
Abiotic Factors
Rainy and dry season
25-150 in/yr precipitation
Fire plays a large role in this ecosystem
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/savannah.html

19. Whistling
Thorn
Umbrella Thorn Acacia
Tropical Savanna
Plant
Adaptations
 Grows in Tufts
 Resistance to Drought
 Many plants have thorns and
sharp leaves to protect
against predation.
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_plant_page.htm
Kangaroos Paws
Baobab

20. Adapt for short rainy
season—migrate as
necessary
Limited food leads to
vertical feeding
Reproduce during rainy
season—ensures more
young survive
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_animal_page.htm
Zebras
Chacma Baboon
Tropical Savanna
Animal Adaptations

21. Threats to the Tropical
Savanna
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/savanna_animal_page.htm
 Invasive species
 Changes in fire management
 Because of their low elevation,
some savannas are threatened
by minor rises in sea level
associated with global climate
change
Koala
Elephant

22. Steppe
Dry, cold, grasslands
Location: Found in
Russia and the
Ukraine
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/steppe.htm

23. Steppe Abiotic Factors
www.plasmacy.de
www.wsu.edu
<50 in/year precipitation
Mountains often play a role
in climate
characteristics

24.  most abundant are plants called Bunch grasses,
fine bladed grasses that grow in clumps to
preserve water
Tumbleweed
Sweet Vernal
Plant adaptations of the Steppe
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/steppe_plant_page.htm

25.  Many migrate, hibernate or burrow
during extremes in temp and
precipitation
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/steppe_animal_page.htm
Adaptations of Steppe Animals
Mongolian Gerbil
Saiga Antelope
Gazelle herd

26. Threats to the Steppe
 Overgrazing…nomadic tribes
have started to spend more time
in one location,
 Infrastructure development
(roads, buildings, etc)
 Unmanaged hunting and poaching
is destroying herds of animals
Corsac fox
Lynx
Milk vetch
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/steppe.h

27. Prairie and Steppe:
Grassland areas
 50-75 cm/yr
 Characteristic high Winds
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/steppe.htm

28. Sod-forming grasses that
won’t dry out or blow
away in wind.
Fleabane
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/prairie_plants_page.htm
Buffalo Grass
Prairie Plant Adaptations

29. Many adaptations to survive
extremes
Prairie dog
Bobcat
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/pampas_
animal_page.htm
Prairie Animal Adaptations
Geoffrey’s cat

30. Grasslandshttp://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/grasslands.htm

31. Chaparral
Location: Primarily in
coastal areas with
Mediterranean
climates. About 300
N and S of the
equator.
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/chaparral.htm

32. Chaparral—Abiotic Factors
 Climate: hot, dry
summers, mild, wet
winters. Slight
variations in seasonal
temperatures…NICE!
California Chaparral
Mediterranean Chaparral
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world
_biomes.htm

33. Chaparral—Plant
Adaptations
Mostly low-lying shrubs
and small trees.
Many plants have leathery
leaves to resist water
loss
Many plant species have
oils in leaves to help
them resist fire…the fire
will take out “weaker”
plants that don’t belong.
Blue Oak
Fairy Duster

34. Chaparral—Animal
Adaptations
Camouflage—to avoid
predation
Many animals will change
their diet as the season
changes.
Puma
Aardwolf

35. Threats to the Chaparral
Human development—
very desirable climate
for humans to live.
Grey Fox
King Protea
Wild Goat

36. Desert
Ecosystems
 Location:
Depending
on type of
desert, you
will find
them in
various
locations.

37. Desert
Abiotic
factors
 <10 in/yr of
rain
 Little to no
topsoil due to
high winds.
 Minerals not
deep in soil.
 Too dry for
decay
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysfl
r/taiga.html
While there are many types of
deserts, they all share one
characteristic: They are the
driest places on Earth!

38. Joshua Tree
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert_plant_page.htm
Desert Plant
Adaptations:
 Spines
 Succulents
 Thick, waxy cuticle
 Shallow, broad
roots
Barrel Cactus
 Ocotollio

39. Desert Animal Adaptations:
 Get water from food
 Thick outer coat
 Burrow during day
 Large ears
 Smaller animals =
less surface area
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/desert_animal_page.htm
Javelina
Bob Cat
Armadillo Lizard

40. Threats to the Desert
Residential development
Off road recreational
activities destroy habitat
for plants and animals.
Some plants are removed by
collectors, endangering the
population.
Sonoran Desert
Dry Desert
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm

41. http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tundra/tundra.html
Tundra
Location:
Found
north of
the Arctic
Circle

42. Tundra Abiotic Factors
 <25 in/year
 Temp rarely higher than 100
C
 Permafrost layer
 Short growing season
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/taiga.html

43. Tundra Plant Adaptations
Growing close to the ground
Having shallow roots to absorb the
limited water resources.
Trees grow less than 1 m high!
cottongrass
Reindeer lichen

44. Perennial
s
Woody
shrubs
http://www.runet.edu/~swoodwar/CLASSES/GEOG235/biomes/tundra/tundra.html
Heaths
Examples of Tundra Plants

45. Many visitors, migration
Few predators
Little Competition
Small ears
Insulation, thick
coat
Arctic fox
snowy owl
Grizzly Bear
Tundra Animal
Adaptations

46. Threats to the Tundra
One of the
most
fragile
biomes on
the planet
The tundra is
slow to
recover from
damage.
Oil drilling
is
proposed
in Alaska
and other
Tufted Saxifrage
Polar Bear

47. Freshwater Ecosystems
• Salinity <0.5 ppt.
• Lake are the deepest of fresh water systems
• Lakes are fed by underground aquifer or stream
• Ponds are fed by rainfall and may be seasonal
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/

48. Ponds
• Sun can reach bottom
• Fed by rainfall
• May be seasonal
• Algae and plants
throughout
Microscopic Animals
and Algae

49. Lakes and ponds—Abiotic Factors
Littoral
zone:
nutrient rich
area found
close to shore
Benthic
zone:
bottom of the
lake where no
sunlight can
reach.
www.dnr.wi.gov
www.uwsp.edu

50. • Plants are floating
algae and plants
along shoreline
• Animals live in or
near water
Lakes and ponds:
Plants and
Animals
Adaptations

51. Threats to lakes and ponds
All water
systems
are being
polluted
and
degraded
by human
impactwww.aquaticbiomes.gov

52. Marshhttp://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/wetlands/
Uses:
 Animal/plant
homes
 Carbon
“sink”
 Water
recharge
areas,
removing
pollutants
Types: Brackish and
freshwater

53. Marsh—Plant
adaptations
• Very shallow with
land occasionally
exposed
• Saturated soil
• Low oxygen in water
and soil
• Emergent plants
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm
Heron

54. Swamp/Bogs
Location: Found on flat, poorly
drained land, often near streams

55. Swamps/Bogs Abiotic
factors
Land soaked because of poor drainage
Decay is slow - Soil is acidic
Swamps
Large trees/shrubs
Adapted to muddy soils
Bogs - sphagnum
moss is
dominant
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/wetlands/

56. Threats to Wetlands
Previous backfilling
and clearing for
farmland or
development has
been a concern.
www.kathimitchell.com
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/bi
ome/aquatic.html

57. Rivers
At headwaters,
usually cold
and highly
oxygenated.
As it flows, it
will broaden
out, warm up
and this
completely
changes the

58. River: Plant and Animal
Adaptations
Will vary based
on where in
the river they
are…at the
headwaters,
organisms
need to hang
on!
www.3d-screensaver-
downloads.com
www.cs.dartmouth.edu

59. Threats to Rivers
Industry uses
water to
dispose of
waste products
Runoff from
homes and
other places
causes
changes in
Dams alter the
flow of the
water
www.nwk.usace.army.mil

60. Estuarieshttp://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/sandy/
• Fresh and salt water
meet

61. Plant and Animal Adaptations of
Estuaries
Very productive
biome because
it receives lots
of light and
nutrients
Often used as
nursery for
young
www.lookoutnow.com & www.visualparadox.com
Manatee
and
goose

62. Threats to Estuaries
 Many ports are
found on estuaries
—pollution
 Human population
www.davenewbould.co.uk
pers-erf.org

63. Coral Reefs
• Close to equator
• Consistent water temperature
• Shallow water
• Low in Nutrients

64. • Breeding area for
many fish
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/coral/
Animal adaptations of
the Coral Reef

65. Threats to the Coral Reefs
Temperature is important,
too hot or too cold and
the animals can’t live
there to create limestone
Human intrusion (scuba diving)
is damaging if you
touch/step on the reef
Pollution is also a concern.
www.calacademy.org

66. Oceanshttp://mbgnet.mobot.org/salt/sandy/

67. Ocean Abiotic factors
Open ocean is one of
the least productive
areas on earth, too
little sunlight to
support plant
growth
Covers nearly
¾ of the
Earth’s
surface.
http://www.worldbiomes.com/bio
mes_aquatic.htm

68. Plants are micro and macroscopic
Have floating plants (kelp shown here)
Ocean Plant adaptations
http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/eviau/edit557/oceans/norma/onfrm.ht
m

69. Ocean Animal Adaptations
Zooplankton—
sea’s smallest
herbivores
Deep ocean animals
feed on detritus—
floating debris in the
water column.
http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p1951.htm
Hammerhead
Lion fish

70. Threats to
the Oceans
While the
oceans are
vast, they
are
becoming
more
polluted
Overfishing and
some fishing
methods are
destroying
fishing
grounds.
http://www.worldbiomes.com/biomes_aquatic.htm

71. Polar Ecosystems
Can be
considered
marine
ecosystems
since the base
of food chain is
phytoplankton
www.defenders.org
www.awi-bremerhaven.de

72. Arctic vs. Antarctic
Arctic
Relatively
shallow, lots
of nutrients
for large
variety of
animals in
food web,
People, seals
and polar nmml.afsc.noaa.gov
Antarctic
Penguins live here
—only continent not
used by humans
(exc. Research)

73. Threats to the Polar Ecosystems
Reserves of minerals
draw humans to
these fragile
ecosystems.
The main threat to
wildlife has been
the increase in
tourism—garbage
left behind
newt.phys.unsw.edu.a
u